BLM Expands Public Access, Resource Protection, with Land Acquisition at Point Arena

A new land acquisition at Point Arena by the Bureau of Land Management will provide public access and resource protection to over 12 miles of California Coast.

The Bureau of Land Management has acquired an additional 410 acres of the Cypress Abbey Ranch adjacent to the Stornetta Public Lands. The BLM acquired 123 acres within the city limits of Point Arena of the Cypress Abbey Ranch in January 2012 as the Phase 1 purchase.

“The acquisition of the Phase 2 portion of the Point Arena Ranch will allow coastal trails to link public lands with the communities of Point Arena, Manchester, and Irish Beach. In addition to being a tremendous community and public recreation asset, the area is also rich in habitat for numerous species,” said Jim Kenna, BLM California State Director.

“This suite of public values is being delivered through partnership with the California Natural Resources Agency, California State Parks, Trust for Public Lands, Stornetta Family, Wyss Foundation, California Coastal Conservancy, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mendocino County, Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, and Point Arena Gateway,” he said.

"This landmark project was made possible only through the strong support of our Federal and State partners and generous donors," said Sam Hodder, California State Director for The Trust for Public Land. "We look forward to enjoying this landscape with the community of Point Arena, the people of California -- and the unique plants and animals forever protected by this work.”

"Thanks to the remarkable stewardship of local communities and landowners over many generations, the bluffs around Point Arena remain one of America's most stunning landscapes," said Hansjörg Wyss, whose charitable foundation, the Wyss Foundation, provided almost $100,000 to support local fundraising efforts and complete the purchase of the Cypress Abbey Ranch. "I'm proud to support the many local partners who are working to ensure these lands remain open and accessible for everyone to explore, so that future generations may continue to experience the breathtaking beauty of the California coast."

The $2.71 million needed to buy the Phase 1 property from the Cypress Abbey Company came from the California Coastal Conservancy and the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.

The Cypress Abbey Phase 2 property will add outstanding geological features to BLM lands which are already in the California Coastal National Monument. The offshore arches, terraces, cave, and stacks present iconic views of the northern California coast.

The property also lies within a BLM Area of Critical Environmental Concern for threatened and endangered species habitat and a California Fish and Game Area of Special Biological Importance. It includes habitat for Behren’s Silverspot Butterfly and the Point Arena Mountain Beaver, both of which are on the federal endangered species list.

For more information, contact the BLM Ukiah Field Office at (707) 468-4000.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.